Prayer- A Personal Response to God's Presence

"Prayer - A Personal Response to God's Presence." by Armand M. Nigro, S.J., is a brief spiritual guide that reorients prayer away from our own efforts toward recognizing it as a loving, personal response to God's initiative and presence. Nigro argues that God first makes Himself present, loving and communicating to us, and true prayer begins with awakening to this reality—acknowledging, "Yes, God, You are present", giving thanks, and responding in love—rather than jumping straight into petitions, thoughts about God, or scripted words.

The piece also addresses common barriers to prayer, such as faulty teaching, lack of trust, or fear. It offers practical guidance, including the "5 P’s" for effective prayer (Passage from Scripture, Place, Posture, Presence of God, and return to the Passage). Nigro encourages viewing petitionary prayer as childlike dependence on God and describes authentic growth in prayer as leading toward everyday mysticism—ordinary people becoming contemplative through God's gifts, culminating in deeper union. He also suggests structured group prayer (collatio) and includes an appendix on praying with Scripture, urging fidelity, silence, and trust in God's longing to communicate Himself mystically to all.